In a series that was preceeded by three years of fan assumptions (Darth Vader, the Emperor and Grand Moff Tarkin. Where’s Jyn?) arguably the biggest hangover from season one was the fate of Kino Loy, the Narkina-5 inmate who was the floor manager of day shift in Unit Five-Two-D and who famously couldn’t swim. Speaking with Collider, actor Andy Serkis discusses this and also how often he is asked about Andor, despite not returning in the second season.
Andor wrapped up its second and final season last month, and one of the show’s biggest stars from Season 1 has finally broken his silence on Season 2. Andy Serkis portrayed Kino Loy in three episodes of Andor Season 1, which are focused on Cassian breaking out of the prison on Narkina 5. Serkis leads the group out of the prison in a daring escape and even seemingly survives the madness, although he didn’t go on to reprise his role in Season 2. Collider’s Steve Weintraub caught up with Serkis to talk about his new animated movie, Animal Farm, at the Annecy Animation Festival in France and after sharing his praise for the show, he asked if he was sad not to be in Season 2 or content because it was best for the character:
“I ultimately think it’s best for the character. It was such a great arc, and it had a very, very definite and heroic conclusion. I think, in many ways, to go back would be difficult because it has left a mark. I was so surprised at how emotionally effective that character was, actually, and so I think it’s way, way better that we leave him in Narkina 5, on his own.”
He also asked if Serkis had been watching Season 2 despite his character not having a role, to which he responded, “I haven’t had the chance. I’ve heard it’s incredible.” Andor Season 2 is the highest-rated Star Wars project ever, holding a 97% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Serkis fired back with a question of his own, asking if it was “more of a masterpiece” than Season 1, to which Weintraub jokingly told him that Season 1 is better because he’s in it. Weintraub finished out the interview by asking if he’s noticed more people talking to him about the show due to Season 2’s rise in popularity:
“Yeah. This year, I’ve actually done a bunch of conventions, and everyone wants to talk about Andor. It’s remarkable how much it’s affected people, which is great. It’s such a beautiful piece of writing, such a beautiful conceit. Tony Gilroy and all the directors who worked on those episodes just cut something brilliant.”
Kino Loy certainly left a mark on Star Wars fans everywhere, which is also thanks to the brilliance of Tony Gilroy and Serkis’ co-star Diego Luna. The show may be over, but it will live on forever as one of the best and most important pieces of Star Wars media.
